The late 30's are a difficult time for many. It seems like just when you are getting over having babies, relationships start to fall apart. The rest of life can come tumbling down right after, if we don't have the strength to put it back together again.
This is where we find Cat at the beginning of Strangely, Incredibly Good. She is 38-years-old, divorced, living with her feisty 91-year-old Grandmother, and two daughters who are quickly losing faith in Cat's parenting abilities. Who can blame them, as she doesn't have any faith left in herself. She's overweight, works at Walmart, and can't get beyond being the butt of everyone's high school pranks twenty years on. Her motivation doesn't seem strong enough to kick-start her life back onto a better track and depression keeps leading her back to the fridge—a vicious never-ending cycle.
That is until she finds a used Wii Fit machine at a garage sale on the way home from another failed start at the gym. To her surprise, and delight, a gorgeous genie emerges when she turns it on, with three wishes to grant. As they struggle through Cat's muddled wishes, romance sparks between Cat and Gene. Can he help Cat find happiness, but more importantly a measure of self-esteem? And does romance have a chance between a 2000+ year-old genie and a middle-aged, overweight, divorcee with a huge chip on her shoulder? If she can see beyond the past, just maybe...
Strangely, Incredibly Good is Heather Grace Stewart's first novel, but far from her first book. With four poetry books, two nonfiction educational books and numerous other poems and other essays in print, she figured it was about time to add this easy-to-read novel to her repertoire. You can't help but like bumbling Gene and laugh at Cat's antics that seem to do more harm than good. To find out if they have a chance at happiness or turning either of their lives around, you'll have to get a copy of Heather's newest book.
You can be sure it won't be her last though.
Thanks very much for the review Katherine and for interviewing me!
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome Heather. I love to read and your book was a nice addition to my bedside table. Best of luck in your future endeavours! :)
Deletenice...i know HGS from her poetry...solid review...i will have to check it out...
ReplyDeleteHey Brian, if you know Heather already, you should check out the interview I did with her at A Writer's Take. She gives a little more insight into 'Strangely, Incredibly Good'. Plus, she gives a peak at the author behind the words. :)
DeleteHey Brian! Thanks for the comment! I hope you do check out SIG...men are reviewing it as much as women on Amazon - which has been a nice surprise.
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